Five link types that should not share one label
Directory or search link
Useful for discovery and nearby alternatives. It does not identify the exact variant you intend to compare.
Product or marketplace link
Usually the closest page for title, options, seller context, and current product details. Those details can still change.
Album or reference link
Useful for additional views and visual context. It may not contain selectable options, current price, or a matching item.
Converted link
Useful only after the destination is checked against the original item, seller, variant, and source details.
QC or warehouse-photo link
Useful for inspecting the pictured item or batch. It does not guarantee that another order will look identical.
Write “proves” and “does not prove” beside important links
Product page
Can support: visible title, selectable options, seller identity shown on that page, and stated price at the time checked.
Cannot guarantee: future stock, quality, shipping outcome, refunds, or that an album shows the same version.
QC photo page
Can support: visible condition, color, labels, seams, hardware, ports, or packaging in those photos.
Cannot guarantee: the next item, hidden areas, material claims, seller service, or delivery outcome.
The five-part link integrity check
- Destination: does the URL open the intended item rather than a search page or neighboring result?
- Identity: do title, image, seller, model, and variant agree with the saved row?
- Recency: is the visible page current enough for the decision, and when did you check it?
- Evidence: which exact photo, measurement, or specification supports the note?
- Boundary: which detail still requires an official seller, platform, agent, carrier, or payment source?
Before trusting a converted link
- Keep the original URL in a separate field.
- Compare the item image, title, seller, color, size, and version.
- Check whether the converted page dropped options or changed quantity.
- Do not treat the conversion as seller or product verification.
- Reject the destination when you cannot explain the mismatch.
What to do when the page changes
Do not silently overwrite the note. Add the check date and mark the changed field: destination, option, price, seller, image, specification, or availability. If the page no longer supports the reason you saved it, move the row back to checking or archive it.
Keep a short text description rather than copying private order, account, contact, payment, or tracking information into a general research sheet.
The minimum useful source note
Product page checked July 25 · charcoal size L · measurements visible · album appears consistent · packed weight still unknown.
This note identifies the page, option, evidence, date, and unresolved question without pretending the link guarantees more than it shows.